A push to shake up things in Clay County. Why one group wants to change the way the superintendent of schools is chosen. 3 Today is an election day in Clay County. One group used this day to gather petition signatures at the polls. The group Children over Politics wants some additions on the November ballot. Two proposed amendments would make the superintendent position an appointed one as opposed to an elected one. It would also make it a non partisan position. Channel 4's Chris Parenteau is covering Clay County. Chris, did the group say why they wanted these changes? 3 One of the main reasons they want these two amendments on the ballot is that they say the current system is keeping the county from having the most qualified candidate be the one who gets the job. They say a non partisan, appointed superintendent would be the best way to make sure the county has the best person leading the school district. 00-0527-3246-5148:35 For example, in St Johns County, it's been an appointed position since 1990.They are the number one county for education, and I think Clay County could do that. VO Virginia Collins is the Chairwoman of the group Children Over Politics, the ones behind these proposed amendments. She says that having the position appointed would make each candidate need to have much stronger qualifications than they currently do. SOT Virginia Collins - Children over politics committee 49:53 It's an over $100,000 a year job, and the only qualification is that you need to live in that county. You don't even need a high school degree to do it. So these groups go ahead and pick who they want. In November, even if there are good other Republican candidates, they can't even go on the ballot. VO Current school board member Tina Bullock who is running for reelection is ok with it reamining an elected position, , but would like to see required qualifications. SOT Tina Bullock - Clay County School Board Member 47:17 It makes it very difficult for him to do that job if he doesn't have that.Fortunately, Mr. Van Zant served on the school board for I think 12 years, so he did get some of that background during that time. Unless you have gone through the district, it makes it a little harder. VO Bullock says that Superintendent Charlie Van Zant has been a benefit to the district since his election. SOT 46:41 Mr. Van Zant has certainly brought some good and creative ideas to the career and technical academies. That is a plus. We need our kids to be prepared for not only college, but also for the world of work if that is their opportunity. VO When Van Zant was elected superintendent in 2012, a school board member called for an emergency meeting to make the position appointed, but that meeting never happened. Now, if the petition gets enough signatures, voters will have the chance to decide. SOT Virginia Collins 50:40 I just want to see Clay County go forward and getting in the national game. We have great students and great teachers here.We just need to tweak a few things. Chris, in Duval and St. John's counties, the superintendent is appointed. Do we know how many districts still have elected superintendents?

ORANGE PARK, Fla. -

Clay County voters will likely see two proposed charter amendments on the November ballot that would change how the school superintendent is selected.

One amendment proposed by a group called Children Over Politics would change the superintendent of schools to a nonpartisan elected position and a second would change it to an appointed position with minimum qualifications.

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"It's an over $100,000-a-year job, and the only qualification is that you need to live in that county. You don't even need a high-school degree to do it," said Virginia Collins, chairperson of Children Over Politics.

The group says the amendments were submitted to the supervisor of elections office last week and must now collect 9,700 signatures from registered votes to get the proposal on the General Election ballot.

The group collected signatures Tuesday outside Orange Park Town Hall, where voters turned out for a special election for Seat 2 of Town Council.

Current Superintendent Charlie Van Zant has had a contentious relationship with the Clay County School Board since his election in 2012. Most recently, the Board asked the state attorney and state Ethics Commission to investigate after Van Zant approved using county funds on a American history conference called "Dare To Think" that some in the community considered a partisan political event.

“Our children deserve more than the constant political games,” said Collins. “This is an opportunity for the citizens of Clay County to exercise local control and affect a positive change on our local government.”

The group noted that there are currently no minimum job qualifications for school superintendents in Florida counties. They add that of 15,000 school districts in the United States only 150 elect their superintendents.

"For example, in St Johns County, it's been an appointed position since 1990," Collins said. "They are the No. 1 county (in the state) for education, and I think Clay County could do that."

News4Jax asked Van Zant for his opinion on the group's proposals but he has not returned the call.

Current school board member Tina Bullock who is running for reelection this year is OK with the position being elected, but would like to see required qualifications.

"It makes it very difficult for him to do that job if he doesn't have that," Bullock said. "Fortunately Mr. Van Zant served on the School Board for, I think 12 years, so he did get some of that background during that time."

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